Novak Djokovic And Rafael Nadal Will Wait To Decide To Play Monte Carlo

Written by: Staff on 15th April 2013

Novak Djokovic And Rafael Nadal Will Wait To Decide To Play Monte Carlo

epa03259561 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Rafael Nadal of Spain during their final match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 11 June 2012. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

Novak Djokovic will make a last-minute decision on the fitness of his injured ankle, with the top seed keen to try and make his scheduled start at the Monte Carlo Masters this week. The Serb rolled his right ankle last weekend in the Davis Cup win over the US and was fearful of the consequences.

But he’s been encouraged by the speed of his rehab work back at his base in Monte Carlo. “I’m optimistic; more so than I was at the start of the week,” he said as he prepared for what he hopes is a second-round start on Wednesday after a bye. “This has been my third day of training;, I’m not pushing it at 100 percent but I’m improving each day.

“This is a strong event and there is no room for compromise,” he said. “This is the start of a new season on a new surface. To compete at a high level I must be 100 percent fit. I’ve been taping the ankle and doing all I can to be ready on the court.

“I’ll do everything in my power to play. I can’t guarantee 100 percent that I’ll be on court. I have to be realistic and cautious. I’ve had three days of practice and I’ve been increasing the level each day.

“If I have discomfort over the next two days that would be an indication if I should or should not play.

The top seed felt good after a light weekend exhibition-promotional hit with Andy Murray in front of the famed Monte Carlo Casino.

Djokovic takes the top seeding with Murray second and eight-time winner Rafael Nadal third. Roger Federer is skipping the event for a training block and will not be back for another three weeks; David Ferrer is nursing a thigh injury.

Nadal has pronounced himself cautiously fit after flying to the principality and getting in several days of hitting on the clay of the Country Club. “After a tough tour and training, the (left) knee has left me more sore than I would have liked,” Nadal told Spanish television. “But in the last few days I am much better, really.”

Nadal, seven-time French Open winner, boasts 35-2 record on clay over the past year as he begins the Roland Garros run-up campaign. His dream scenario would be a sixth career sweep of the Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and French Open series.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Monte Carlo Masters, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News